Dáil Éireann - Volume 36 - 19 November, 1930

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Riparian Owners on the Shannon.

[13] Pádraig O hOgáin (An Clár) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will furnish a complete list of riparian owners on the Shannon who made claims for compensation on his Department in respect of fishing rights curtailed or destroyed because of the operations of the Shannon scheme, showing the amounts claimed in each case, and the amounts awarded, together with the claims still outstanding on which no award has yet been made.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. McGilligan): I am not prepared to publish a list of individual claimants for, or recipients of, compensation in respect of fishing rights affected by the Shannon Works. In the case of two only of the claims received agreement has not yet been reached, but I am unable to say what further claims may be lodged hereafter.

Mr. Hogan: Has that decision anything to do with the Minister's refusal to consider the just claims of the fishermen for compensation, as the contrast might not be very agreeable to the Minister's views?

Mr. McGilligan: I am not prepared to let one set of people know what I have decided to give to another set because their price might rise.

Mr. Hogan: Is the Minister prepared to consider the fishermen's claims? The Minister said that the fishermen's claims might rise if they knew what the riparian owners got.

Mr. McGilligan: I never mentioned the fishermen.

Mr. Hogan: You said other claims.

Mr. McGilligan: Yes, other rightful claims.